Aviation Archaeology

Most experts agree that there are a variety of ways in which we can learn more about our history, including by reading books, talking with elders, or working with experts in the field. Archeology—or the study of history through the recovery of data that has been left behind—has also been found to be an extremely effective method of learning more about our past. Aviation archeology is a specific subcategory of archeology that can be effective when studying the history of aircrafts. Individuals who are interested in learning more about aviation archeology should first have a basic understanding of the concept, and should be able to identify historical crash site and military archeology. Professional archeologists and college professors can often be an additional wealth of knowledge when it comes to learning more about aviation archeology.

What is Aviation Archeology?

As suggested by the name, aviation archeology refers to the study of history through aircrafts and aviation. Traditionally, individuals who are involved in aviation archeology actively participate in the pursuit, documentation, recovery, and preservation of aircrafts that have been involved in a crash, or the actual sites at which an aircraft crash occurred. In many cases aviation archeologists study the maps, journals, logs, and weather recordings associated with a particular crash site. Aviation archeology is also sometimes referred to as aviation archeology, aerospace archeology, crash hunting, wreck hunting, or crashology. While there are a number of sites that have been actively targeted for aviation archeology research, the most popular are associated with accidents that occurred during World War II.

Crash Sites

The sites at which aircraft crash are often a wealth of knowledge for individuals who are interested in learning more about aviation archeology. In most cases, the most valuable crash sites are those that are located in relatively rural areas, as they are less likely to have been tampered with by recent human developments. Some of the most famous aviation crash sites have been found in the mountains and deserts of the American west. In addition, there are a number of lucrative aviation crash sites located in certain parts of England and Europe. Individuals who are interested in learning more about historical crash sites can often do so by consultation with experts in the field of aviation archeology.

Recent Accidents
—Statistics and detailed information on various recent aircraft accidents around the United States.

Military Archeology

Military archeology is an especially popular and growing subcategory of archeology within all parts of the world. While military archeology can date back several centuries, when it comes to aviation archeology, most findings have been in regards to crashes that occurred during World War II. Most aircraft archeology is associated with the Air Force, though some findings related to the Navy and other military forces have been identified. As research into the field of military archeology continues, further crash sites are likely to be identified and studied.